Utility truck



inventor (Ittorneg I I 9L 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 llulllll I II bllllh l P. E. HAWKINS UTILITY TRUCK Original Filed Aug. 4, 1937 fiat.

Nov. 26, 1940.

NN NN P. E. HAWKINS U'I'ILIT? TRUCK Nov. 26, 1940.

Original Filed Aug. 4, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 -1 h m izal (Ittomeg Nov. 26, 1940. P. E. HAWKINS UTILITY TRUCK 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Aug. 4, 1937 F'IQ3 FIG.5

Snventor P. E. HAWKINS Nov. 26, 1940.

UTILITY TRUCK Original Filed Aug. 4, 19:57

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 3nventor Patented Nov. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES UTILITY TRUCK Paul E. Hawkins, Lakewood, Ohio, assignor to The Baker-Raulang Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Original application August 4, 1937, Serial No. 157,400, now Patent No. 2,164,327, dated July 4, 1939. Divided and this application August 27,

1938, Serial No. 227,087

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a utility truck, more particularly to the mounting thereon and control of an extensible ladder.

This application is a division of my original application filed August 4, 1937, Serial No. 157,400,

now Patent No. 2,164,327.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved ladder mounting, whereby the ladder may be readily swung bodily into various angular positions and also tilted at desired inclinations to permit of a wide range of operations.

Another object of the invention is to construct an improved vehicle on which an extensible ladder is mounted to tilt and swing and means are 15 provided for controlling the movements of the ladder.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved ladder construction and mounting therefor having a counterbalance and mechanism for locking and controlling the movement of the ladder in either or both directions of movement.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my in- 25 vention relates from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a truck embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, enlarged.

Fig. 4.- is a fragmentary section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, enlarged; but showing the auxiliary member in operative position.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, but showing the brake shoes in applied position.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of parts shown in Fig. 7, portions being broken away.

Fig. 7 is an end view of the parts shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view showing the latching device between the ladder sections.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view showing a modification.

In the drawings, l indicates as an entirety a power driven truck having front steerable wheels 2 and rear driven wheels 3, which support a suitable frame, the latter providing a platform 4 on its rear portion. Mounted on and incorporated with the frame is a suitable drivers seat preferably enclosed in a cab 5, and rearward of the cab I provide longitudinally extending hous- 55 ings 6 arranged adjacent the opposite sides of tubular member 1 this latter movement permitthe platform 4. -The cab 5 and housings 6 may be of any desired construction. By preference, the housings 6 are divided into compartments of various sizes with provision for access thereto on their inner or outer sides; hinged doors 6a 5 being shown in Fig. 1. The cab 5 may be omitted; or the cab and housings may be fabricated as a unitary structure.

7 indicates an upright tubular member having at its lower end a base 8, which is suitably bolted to the platform 4. The upper end of the tubular member is closed by a plug or wall 9 having an upwardlyextending stud shaft ID, in axial relation to the tubular member 7. The shaft it) forms a seat for one race of an anti-friction bearing ll. 52 indicates a sleeve surrounding the upper end portion of the tubular member 7, the lower end of the sleeve rotatively engaging a bushing I3 provided on the tubular member. The upper end of the sleeve l2 telescopes into a collar M, to which it is suitably secured. The collar I4 is formed integrally with a plate l5 formed with an opening Hi, the walls of which form a seat for the other race. of the bearing 1 I. An annular member I! is disposed in engagement with the adjacent bearing race and in overlapping relation to the plate l5, and a nut l8 engaging the threads on the outer end of the shaft 10, holds the bearing H in position and the sleeve l2 and plate I5 in rotatable relation to the tubular member 1, so that the sleeve may rotate on the bushing I 3 and bearing II. The plate I5 is provided with diametrical arms l8 (preferably formed integrally therewith) which terminate in alined hollow bosses I9. The bosses l9 support a rod 20 which extends laterally therebeyond to provide trunnions or pivots on which a ladder, indicated'as an entirety at 2|, is fulcrurned intermediate its ends, whereby it may be tilted at various inclinations, as shown in dotted lines-in Fig. 2. It will thus be seen from the foregoing description that the ladder 2| is capable of being bodily tilted about the axis of. the rod 29 and swung about the axis of the ting the ladder to be extended over a vehicle parked on the street to enable the mechanic to reach a pole and lamps and other equipment thereon mounted on the side of the road way.

The ladder 2! comprises a main section 22 and an extensible section 23, each section con-' sisting of side rails 24 and suitable rungs 2311.. As shown in Fig. 4, the rails 24 of the section 23 are disposed within and guided by the rails 24 of the main section 22 and slide on the rungs of the latter section, being held in sliding engagement with these rungs by angles 25 fixed to the inner sides of the rails 24 of the main section. The inner side of each rail 24 of the ladder section 23 is provided with a suitable dog 24a arranged to engage any one of the rungs 23a of the ladder section 22 when the section 23 is moved upwardly. The dog 24a is provided with a pivoted element 24a arranged to engage the rungs of the section 22 in the downward movement of the section 23 and cause the dog 24a to ride the rungs. The dogs 24a are of well known construction. The rails 24 of the main section are provided along their lower end walls with channels 26 each of which is secured in position by a plate 21 fixed to the outer side of the adjacent rail and having a portion bent under and secured to the channel. As shown in Fig. 4 the side walls of channels 26 and plate 21 are formed with alined openings to receive the outer ends of the rod 23 to fulcrum the ladder 2| thereon.

Mechanism is provided for automatically looking the ladder 2| in any position to which it may be tilted or raised, so that when the ladder reaches the desired position no manual 0peration is required to prevent it from swinging downwardly. This mechanism comprises two telescoping members, one consisting of a ratchet 28 and the other a guide 29 for the ratchet and carrying a dog 3|], normally biased into engagement with the ratchet 23. By preference, the outer end of the ratchet 28 is suitably fixed to a web 3|, which in turn is welded or otherwise secured to a rod 32 the opposite ends of which project into alined openings formed in the channels 28. and the outer end of the guide 29 is pivotally supported on the outer end of a bracket 33, the bracket having a hub 33a, surrounding and fixed to the sleeve |2. The guide 29 consists of a tubular member (of rectangular shape in cross section) suitably connected at its lower end to a casting 34. The casting terminates in a hollow boss 34a, through which a pin extends to pivotally connect the casting to the walls of the bracket 33. The dog 30 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 30a (supported in the side walls of the member 29) and normally biased into engagement with the ratchet 28 by a spring 35 coiled around a rod 36, pivoted to the dog at its inner end and at its outer end slidably guided by the walls of an opening 31 formed in the rear wall of the guide member 29. The rear end of the dog 38 is provided with a pair of spaced arms 33, between which operates a cam 39, to engage one arm 38 to lock the dog in engagement with the ratchet 28 (see Figs. 6 and 8) and to engage the other arm 38 to hold the dog 30 in an inoperative position. The cam 39 is fixed to a rock shaft 40 mounted in the walls of the guide member 29, one end of the shaft 40 being provided with a crank 4! by means of which the cam 39 may be operated to either position. When the cam 39 is in the position shown in Fig. 6, the dog 30 is in locked relation to a tooth of the ratchet 28, so that the outer end of the ladder cannot be raised or lowered in a vertical plane. If the cam 39 is moved to its mid or neutral position (see dotted line position of the crank 4| indicated at :13), the ladder 2| may be tilted upwardly and in such movement the ratchet 28 would be moved endwise in its guide and the nose of the dog 33 would ride the ratchet. To permit tilting of the ladder downwardly, the

crank 4| is operated to the position shown in dotted lines at x, which operation moves the dog 30 away from and maintains it out of engagement with the ratchet 28.

To look the ladder 2| in any position to which it may be swung laterally I provide the following: 42 indicates a substantially bell-shaped member the side wall 42a of which serves as a brake drum arranged to be engaged by a pair of brake shoes 43. The bottom wall of the member 42 is bolted to the flange of the hub 33a so as to have fixed relation to the sleeve |2. The corresponding ends of the brake shoes 43 are provided with a hollow boss 43a mounted on a pin 44 depending from one edge of a plate 45 having a collar 46, which is suitably fixed to the tubular member 1. The boss 43a, is cut through on its inner wall to permit the shoes to move into and out of engagement with the wall 42a. The opposite ends of the brake shoes 43 are pivoted to a pair of pivotally connected levers 41, 41, constituting a toggle. The levers 41, 41', are connected to the upper end of a rod 48, the lower end of which is pivoted to a foot lever 49, fulcrumed on the base 8, whereby the levers 41, 41, may be operated to apply and release the shoes 43. When the lever 49 is operated downwardly (such position of the lever being shown in Figs. 4 and 5), the toggle levers 41, 41, are expanded to apply the brake shoes 43 to the drum 42a, the effect of which is to lock the ladder 2| in any predetermined position against swinging movement laterally about the axis of the column 1. Operation of the lever 49 upwardly releases the brake shoes, to permit swinging movement of the ladder. A plate 45a is suitably secured by cap screws to the collar 46 and carries a projecting lug 46b to limit the upward movement of the toggle levers 41, 41'.

The lever 41 consists of two parts, one threaded into the other to provide for adjustment of the levers.

50 indicates as an entirety an auxiliary member extending substantially from end to end of and swingably mounted on the ladder section 22, and adapted to be positioned on or over the ladder section 23 (see Figs. 1 and 4) The member 58 and its mounting form the subject-matter of my said original application, for which reason no claims thereto are made herein.

84 indicates an auxiliary guard mounted on the outer end of the ladder section 23. The guard 54 consists of a loop formed of suitable piping covered with ru her or other insulating material.

Rearward of one housing 6 I may provide a seat 1|) and rearward of the other housing I provide a ladder 1| to facilitate access to the ladder 2!. As shown in Fig. l, the tubular member or column 1 is arranged on the platform 4 rearward of the housings 6, so that the ladder 2| may be oper ated into various positions without interference therewith.

As will be understood from Fig. 2, (a) the guard 84 occupies a substantially upright position, when the ladder 2| is disposed horizontally so that the mechanic cannot fall oii the outer end of the ladder and (b) when the ladder is tilted and the mechanic is standing on a step 13 pivotally carried by and between the rails of the ladder section 23 near its outer end. the guard surrounds the mechanic so as to insure his safety in this position.

The step 13 is swingable from a position alinal with the ladder rails (see dotted lines in Fig. l),

which may be termed its inoperative position,

to any angular position relative thereto, so that when the ladder is tilted to any predetermined position and the section 23 is extended, the step may be operated to and locked in a horizontal position by suitable means, so that the mechanic may stand on the step.

The outer end portion of the ladder 2| may be counter-balanced in any desired manner; for example, by means of a weight 89, as shown in Fig. 1, or by means of an expansion spring 90, as shown in Fig. 10. In this latter arrangement I provide a pair of telescopically related tubular members 9|, 92, the former being pivoted to the bracket 33 and the latter member being pivoted to a cross rod 93 mounted at its ends in the channels 26, the opposite ends of spring abutting against the end walls of the members 9|, 92, and normally tending to move the latter endwise outwardly. Suitable means (not shown) may be provided for adjusting the tension of the spring.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

1. In a vehicle having a platform, the combination of a column on said platform, a sleeve surrounding said column and rotatably supported at its opposite ends thereon, a ladder fulcrumed intermediate its ends on the upper end of said sleeve to tilt upwardly and downwardly, means for locking saidladder in a horizontal or any predetermined tilted position, said means comprising two members telescopically related, one member being pivoted at its outer end to said ladder between its outer end and its fulcrum and the other member being pivoted at its outer end to said sleeve, one of said members being provided with a ratchet and the other member being provided with a pivoted pawl arranged to releasably engage said ratchet, a brake drum carried by the lower end of said sleeve, a brake shoe movably mounted on said column, and means for operating said shoe.

2. In a vehicle having a drivers station and a platform rearward thereof, a column on said platform disposed substantially midway between its side portions, a member rotatably mounted on the upper end portion of said column, a ladder fulcrumed intermediate its ends on the upper end of said member, so that its longitudinal axis intersects the axis about which said member rotates, means for locking said ladder in a horizontal or any predetermined tilted position, and means including a spring for counter-balancing the outer end portion of said ladder, connected to said rotatable member and said ladder and disposed in a plane cut-ting the longitudinal axis of the latter.

3. In a vehicle having a platform, the combination of a column on said platform, a sleeve surrounding said column and rotatably supported at its opposite ends thereon, a ladder fulcrumed intermediate its ends on the upper end of said sleeve to tilt upwardly and downwardly, means for locking said ladder in a horizontal or any predetermined tilted position, said means comprising two members telescopically related, one member being pivoted at its outer end to said ladder between its outer end and its fulcrum and the other member being pivoted at its outer end to said sleeve, one of said members being provided with a ratchet and the other member being provided with a pivoted pawl arranged to releasably engage said ratchet, a brake drum carried by the lower end of said sleeve, a brake shoe movably mounted on said column, means for operating said shoe, a pair of hollow members disposed in telescopic relation and connected at their outer ends to said sleeve and said ladder between its outer end and its fulcrum, and an expansion spring within said hollow members inengagement with the outer end walls thereof and normally acting therethrough to swing the outer end of said ladder upwardly.

PAUL E. HAWKINS. 

